Collection: Théophile Alexandre Steinlen

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen (1859–1923) was a Swiss-born painter, printmaker, and illustrator who moved to Paris in 1881. After training in Lausanne, he contributed to the Art Nouveau movement, producing lithographs, etchings, and posters that depicted the social realities of fin-de-siècle Paris. His work appeared in anarchist and socialist publications, including "Le Chambard Socialiste" and "Les Temps Nouveaux", reflecting his political engagement.

Steinlen’s graphic output, over 2,000 prints and 600 lithographs, focused on the urban proletariat, street life, and domestic scenes, often rendered with realism and Art Nouveau’s linear style. Cats, a recurring motif, appear in works like "Winter: Cat on a Cushion" (1909) and satirical compositions.

His posters, such as "Tournée du Chat Noir avec Rodolphe Salis" (c. 1896), combined bold typography with figural elegance. His technique included drypoint for precision and lithography for tonal range, allowing mass distribution of his social critique.

Steinlen’s depictions of labor and marginalized figures influenced later urban realists, including the Ashcan School. His poster designs shaped the affichistes of the early 20th century. Though naturalized French in 1901, his Swiss origins and anarchist ties limited his academic recognition, but his work circulated in avant-garde journals. Collections in the Art Institute of Chicago and the Victoria and Albert Museum hold his lithographs, highlighting his role in merging political illustration with Art Nouveau aesthetics.